Its been a decade since the ghastly attack against Sri Lankan cricket team took place early morning on March 3rd. A bus carrying the guest team was driving to Lahore’s Qaddafi Stadium for Day Three of their second Test match against Pakistan where they were targeted by militants.

This incident trashed the nation’s image worldwide but more so, left millions of cricket fans ruing the deplorable attack – especially since it deprived an entire generation of experiencing first-hand what is arguably the most celebrated game in the country.

“The @ICC and others need to support Pakistan. We have always supported other boards by visiting their countries. Even recently we sent our junior team to @OfficialSLC a week or so after [the Easter attacks].”https://t.co/vp3utmwKG9

But Pakistan’s captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has taken this case to promote international confidence in the country, so our nation can return back to an accelerating success in the genre. “I request Sri Lankan team to visit Pakistan,” said Sarfaraz while talking to media in Karachi ahead of the 2019-20 domestic season. “The security situation in the country is also considerably improved. I hope that the Sri Lankan team tours Pakistan as per schedule.” The captain said this while urging International Cricket Council (ICC) and other member countries to support Pakistan’s cause.

Pakistani fans hope that this tour is seen as another substantial step forward towards reviving Pakistani cricket after years of international isolation.

Recently, Sri Lankan Prime Minister’s Office received reliable information of a possible terrorist threat on the Sri Lanka team, while touring Pakistan. The SLC has been advised to take extreme care and ‘reassess’ the situation, before embarking on the said tour.

The Sri Lankan cricket board said national players were briefed on security arrangements for the six-match limited over series, and given the freedom to decide if they wanted to travel. This led to many players opting out of the tour – a total of 18 players uptil now.

If Sarfaraz is able to reach the crowds all over Sri Lanka, the team will return to Pakistan after a nearly two-year absence for short-form cricket games. In October 2017, Sri Lanka played a Twenty20 International in Lahore for the first time since a terror attack near the same venue in March 2009.

It is no secret that our nation of 200 million, loves the game often to the point of madness. Families and friends gather together to support their teams on the screen while their hearts beat with every run. A decade of deprivation has been enough of a punishment. Pakistani fans hope that this tour is seen as another substantial step forward towards reviving Pakistani cricket after years of international isolation.

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